Samuel Law and John Heyworth moved from Lanebottom to Little Clegg in Butterworth where they remained Master Picker Makers

Thomas Law, who owned and occupied the picker shop during the 1870's and also worked for the Dawson Bros. who had previously worked in the shop, had a nasty accident as reported as follows:

Manchester Times, Saturday, October 10, 1874

Stabbing in a railway train

On Tuesday evening, two cattle dealers, brothers (Irishmen) were travelling by the train which leaves Manchester at 6.25pm and on arriving at Littleborough station other passengers got into the same carriage. The two men were lying along the seats in one of the compartments, which Thomas Law of Smales, Walsden, a traveller for Messrs. Dawson Brothers, picker makers of Lanebottom, also entered. One of the Irishmen, whose name was Michael Allen, apparently about 30 years of age, did not get up, and Law passed by him and sat down on the other side. Allen very offensively rubbed his feet upon Law’s clothes. Law made use of some sharp words, on which Allen struck him a blow in the face with his fist. Law resented this and a struggle ensued, in the course of which Law felt that his throat had been cut, from which a large quantity of blood flowed. Allen jumped out of the train whilst in motion in the Summit Tunnel and was considerably hurt. He was subsequently arrested and on Wednesday at the Magistrates Office, Todmorden, a gentleman from the office of Messrs Grandy and Co. of Manchester, solicitors, appeared on behalf of the L &Y Railway Company, and asked for a remand, which was granted, and he was remanded until Wednesday next at 11.30am. When apprehended, Allen was seeking lodgings at Clough, Walsden, and about £50 of money was found upon him.

William and Samuel Dawson, brothers, owned and occupied this building about 1870 and were described as picker makers when their children were baptised around this time. The also owned and occupied Lanebottom Mill along with two other brothers, where they were hair merchants.